NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Mukesh Ambani
    WhatsApp
    Reliance Jio
    OPPO
    Vivo
    Sensex
    Bitcoin
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / Business News / Google-parent Alphabet fires robots that performed everyday office chores
    Business

    Google-parent Alphabet fires robots that performed everyday office chores

    Google-parent Alphabet fires robots that performed everyday office chores
    Written by Athik Saleh
    Feb 24, 2023, 07:33 pm 2 min read
    Google-parent Alphabet fires robots that performed everyday office chores
    Everyday Robots was part of Alphabet's X moonshot lab

    It isn't just humans that are affected by the layoff season. Robots have been hit too. Google parent Alphabet has decided to shutter Everyday Robots, one of its youngest subsidiaries, a year after graduating from the company's secretive X moonshot lab. The department had a team of over 200 people working on several exploratory projects.

    Why does this story matter?

    • The ongoing tech layoffs have not spared anyone. Alphabet's decision proves that not even robots are safe when the macroeconomic headwinds are as strong as they are.
    • The company's decision to close down the experimental department is also a sign of robotics taking a back seat. Alphabet's immediate focus is on improving its AI capabilities to take on OpenAI and ChatGPT.

    The robots tidied the company's dining hall

    At Everyday Robots, the team developed and trained over 100 wheeled and one-armed robots to squeegee cafeteria tables, separate trash, recycle, and open doors, among other chores. While they were being trained, the robots undertook several tasks, such as tidying up the company's dining hall and checking the cleanliness of conference rooms during the pandemic, Wired reported.

    Some technology and members will move to other teams

    "Everyday Robots will no longer be a separate project within Alphabet," said Denise Gamboa, director of marketing and communications for Everyday Robots. "Some of the technology and part of the team will be consolidated into existing robotics efforts within Google Research," she added. The company has not shared which assets and team members of Everyday Robots will transition to other research teams.

    Google's robotics acquisition spree hasn't resulted in great success

    The end of Everyday Robots is not unfamiliar territory for the company. The fascination of Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page with robotics resulted in an acquisition spree of robotics companies a decade ago. However, none of the companies managed to take off. The company's quest to find a consumer product is yet to take shape.

    Alphabet laid off about 6% of its staff

    Alphabet laid off about 12,000 employees last month in one of the biggest tech layoffs this year. The job cuts were a result of economic uncertainties and the rapid increase in the company's headcount. The layoffs affected various departments across the company. Intrinsic, a subsidiary of Alphabet that works on industrial robots, lost 20% of its staff.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Latest
    Google
    Robots
    Alphabet Inc

    Latest

    AI regulation in India: IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pinpoints concerns Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
    Karan Johar to unveil new glimpse of 'RRKPK'; details inside Bollywood
    Sensex slips nearly 130 points, Nifty settles below 18,150 mark Sensex
    SC stays West Bengal government's ban on The Kerala Story India

    Google

    Google justifies new in-app billing policy as criticism mounts  Competition Commission of India
    Google now flags AI-generated pictures, identifies image sources: Here's how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
    Google's Pixel 6, 7 line-ups facing overheating, battery drainage issues Google Pixel 6
    Why OnePlus Pad is better than Google Pixel Tablet OnePlus

    Robots

    Nanobots can help humans achieve immortality by 2030: Ex-Google engineer Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
    Kerala launches Bandicoot, world's first robotic scavenger for manhole cleaning Kerala
    This temple in Kerala is getting a robotic elephant Kerala
    Lifeguards in Goa get AI assistance for rescue operations Goa

    Alphabet Inc

    Alphabet, Microsoft Q1 results: Is the worst finally behind us Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
    Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai receives hike, pay soars to $226mn Sundar Pichai
    Google India lays off 453 employees across the company Google
    YouTube CEO is stepping down, Neal Mohan to replace her YouTube

    Love Business News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    Business Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023